Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1887-07-15
THE ROMNEY ASYLUM.
An Appeal from q Former Pupii-Shal
the schools be Separated.

An Appeal from q Former Pupli-Shan
the schools be Separated.
To he Editor Of the Register.
SAN DIEGO, CAL, July 5.-Your cor
respondent from this remote city by the
sea is the son of an old citizen of Wheel
ing, who, with his family, has within the last
two months taken up his residence on the
shore of the Pacific. Ten years ago, was
engaged in those pursuits about the city
hy which young men who have to work,
and are proud of the ability to do 30, usu-
ally earn their livelihood. Having passed
through the excellent schools OF the city,
and enjoyed the advantages of u course in
the Wheeling Business College, | had al
ready begun business with good prospects
Of success, when, in the mysterious provi-
denee of God, my eyes were attacked by an
unmanageable inflammation which ultimate
ly resulted in total blindness.
OF course, | was obliged to abandon all
NV early formed plans and attempt to re-
educate myself in the new world OF dark
ness into which, had been so suddenly
introduced. Accordingly, | made applica-
ton for admittauce to the Institution for the
Deaf and Blind at Romney, was kindly re-
ceiyed, and found friend there i'll the per-
son of Prof. II. III. johnson, who showed
me how to assume my new position. had
lost nothing of my early training; but l
did not know what to do in the new cir
cumstances in which | found myself. He
showed me how to use as blind man the
information which i had acquired in the
lull enioyent of sight and thus conferred
great advantage on me. l am now reap
ing some of the benefits of his advice.
NV connection with this most important
school, rs q pupil, perhaps gives me
keener sense OF the States loss than
would otherwise have, i'll the death OF Ma
Tor Covell. His life and character were
such as TO make the termination OF his adj
ministration of that institution an epoch
IN its history, and cannot fOrbear the I'M
preston ut it ought to be made the oe-
casion of making some reforms in the work
of the institution which would greatly in
crease its usefulness.
/ will comprehend my idea of the requi-
site reforms under three propositions, VIZ.
LIST. The West Virginia School for the
Deaf and the Blind, which is O dual ln'
stitution, should be separated into two dis
tinct schools, one Tor the mutes, and the
other for the blind.
2ud. The school for the blind should be
located at one of the larger cities of the
State.
3rd. The city of Wheeling, my beloved
natal home, should offer such inducements
| to the State as would not fail to secure the
new institution for that point. On these
PROPOSITIONS, / shall beg leave TO make a
few remarks, more, by way Of opening the
subject, than for any other purpose. The
matter is Of paramount importance: but
it affects in such general way the
masses of the people, that it will be
difficult to get the public attention direct
ed to it." The benefieiaries OF these phi
lanthropie foundations are the wards OF the
whole State, and thus their proper care be-
comes q matter of general concern. For
this reason, the best thought of our best
people should be directed to the means
hest calculated to secure their successful
training.
That thetwo classes should be separated,
n very limited amount of observation
would be sufficient TO convince any intelli-
gent person. The two classes have nothing
IN common. uCl hiOAC ehsaa
either is in relation to perfectly endowed
children. Their instructions, their gov
lernment, and their amusements are rs diff
fareut as if they did not belong to the same
speeies, and the only suppOsable advantage
in keeping them together, Is the one sug,
yested by false notion of economy, that
they can be fed and housed together for
somewhat less money than if they were IN
senarate buildings. / regard this as false
.canomy. because the result for the money
ia far inferior to what il would be for a
small increase Of cost in separate schools.
There remains now only four or five States
which have not abandoned the misehievous
nlan. Michigan. believe, was the last to
Siye il ND, some five or six years ago.
Wherever il has been abandoned, the
event has justified the course, and there Is
no doubt that like experience would be
recorded for West Virginia, If she would
take the same course.
Among the disadvantages OF the present
system may be enumerated the following
The Superintendent is, or should De, au
EXPERT in the use of the sign LANGUAGE.
Such skill is only 70 be secured ut the ex'
pense of wears in the service Of the mutes,
"a a teacher. The result is bias which
gives the mute department the advantage
in all matters, which affect the prosperity
of the work. For proof, one need only
look at the small numbers Of blind in the
dual schools, rs compared with States Of
like population. Moreover, the census
iustifies q nearer equality Of numbers in
such institutions than is usually found.
In q separate school, more blind pupils